The End Of The Nassau Suffolk Lumber Yard

102 W. Main Street 2009 (photo NY Times)Since 2009 the site of Nassau Suffolk Lumber, 102 W. Main Street, Smithtown has been blighted. In 2009 the property owner, North Fork Management, owned by Salvatore DiCarlo violated a Smithtown stop work order and demolished buildings. The site has been in various states of disrepair since. Until now.

During the July 14 Town Board work session the site was the subject of discussion. The property owner, VEA 181st Realty Corp Salvatore DiCarlo, wanted the town to grant a waiver to its demolition plan which called for the removal of the concrete and debris sitting on the property for years. The owner was asking to be allowed to crush the debris and to store it in a berm on the property.  Supervisor Vecchio balked, “NO” he would not support a waiver. The owner had not developed the property and according to Vecchio was “playing the town like an old banjo.” 

one of the many piles of concrete on the site of the former Nassau Suffolk LumberAt that work session the Town Board decided to table the proposed waiver until August 11. Questions arose from residents almost immediately. Residents questioned the impact of grinding up the concrete and allowing it to be stored on the property. New York Avenue resident Kathy Albrecht sent letters to all the Board members expressing her concerns and pointing out possible health issues caused by the grinding. Residents vowed to attend the next Town Board meeting and to express their concerns.

Support for approving the waiver began to disappear with Councilman Wehrheim stating to Smithtown Matters that the Albrecht letter brought up important issues and he wanted to get answers. “Safety first” Councilman Wehrheim explained. After receiving the letter he sent a memo to Russ Barnett, director of Smithtown’s Department of Environment and Waterways. 

Before Councilman Wehrheim received a response Mr. DiCarlo moved forward with the original demolition plan removing the concrete from the site.  Not a week later heavy equipment was moved onto the property and concrete was hauled off the site. 

Residents were not notified, they were awakened to dust and noise as the clean-up began. Calls were made to town officials who responded by contacting Joe Arico at Building Department.  Joe Arico negotiated with the property owner to water the site down during the removal process minimizing the dust. According to Mr. Arico, the Planning Department was very aware of the history of the site and was working with the property owner to make sure everything was being done properly. Mr. Arico said the concrete removal was being done according to the original demolition site plan including the hours of operation. There was no requirement to notify the Town Board nor the residents. “Everything was in order.”

102 W. Main St. Smithtown - August 9, 2015Not everyone felt that this was acceptable. Residents questioned the speed with which the property owner changed his position from requesting a waiver to allow crushing and the 180 degree change to removal of the concrete. “It seems odd that while we were asking for tests on the concrete the owner dropped the waiver request and quickly removed the concrete” said Kathy Albrecht.

Councilman Wehrheim said he too was surprised by DiCarlo’s action saying he had received no advance notice about the removal of the concrete.

It remains to be seen whether residents will show up at the Tuesday, August 11th Town Board meeting. But one thing is apparent, for the first time in six years 102 W. Main Street is clear of buildings, construction debris and blight.

Theater Review - "Billy Elliot"

THEATER REVIEW - Billy Elliot 

Produced by: The Gateway Theater - Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

When I first saw ‘Billy Elliot, the motion picture,’ in 2000, I assumed it would be only a matter of time before the British story of a young coal miner’s son … all boy, but born to dance ballet … would be staged, and would stun audiences in New York. It did … to the extent that the show received a record 14 Tony nominations, and won in 10 categories! … one short of the all-time mark set by ‘The Producers.’

Long Island’s Ethan Eisenberg: Wins the audience’s hearts as ‘Billy Elliot’s’ lovable cross-dresser The story of Billy Elliot has everything: The power of The Arts to fuel the human spirit … the tension created by the clash of performance for art’s sake, against the negative stereotype of the male ballet dancer … the emergence of a butterfly from the sooty cocoon of a coal mining town … the specter of a seemingly insurmountable struggle, and ultimate fulfillment … even the revelation that the straight protagonist’s best friend is, in fact, gay.

The story was red meat for the flamboyant Elton John, of course, and significantly the gay piano man from across the sea latched on to it, confident that, with his music superimposed on the tale, it couldn’t miss! Sir Elton’s conclusion was correct, as the record shows … but his music has little or nothing to do with ‘Billy Elliot’s’ success.

As America watched Neil Patrick Harris emcee the 63^rd annual Tony Awards show in June, 2009, the preening Sir Elton waited to be honored for the year’s ‘Best Musical Score’ – but alas that accolade went to the forgettable show, ‘Next To Normal.’ The point had been made by the American Theatre Wing: ‘Billy Elliot, the Musical’ had dominated … not because of Elton John’s music, but in spite of it.

The same observation might be made for every production of this wonderful show since its Broadway debut, including the one The Gateway recently put on the boards (and high above them) at the dazzling Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Those who found ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and ‘Mary Poppins’ jaw-dropping, got another dose of theatrical magic when they saw ‘Billy Elliot’ take to the air at the south shore venue during the past few weeks. But beyond the spellbinding aerobatics and exquisite dance execution, audiences found that The Gateway produced something that inscribes itself on the human heart … for at the core of this inspiring story is a tale essentially of courage and perseverance.

Finding performers (and especially young performers) to fill the roles in this gut-wrenching play could not have been easy, so credit the Gateway’s casting director for coming up with a superb group of players … but especially for recognizing the talent that absolutely bubbles from the incredible Ethan Eisenberg. He played Michael, Billy’s cross-dressing friend, and he wowed the audience with his carefree interpretation delivered opposite the gifted Mitchell Tobin as Billy the night I was in the audience. (Mitchell alternated with Brandon Ranalli in the title role)

This observation takes nothing away from Tobin, who deserved every minute of his sustained standing ovation at the end of his demanding performance. The simple fact is that the character of Michael is one of those roles virtually guaranteed to steal a show like this if played well … and Ethan couldn’t have done it better.

I would have preferred that a more gifted song stylist than the limited Elton John had written the score for this superb story of a boy destined to dance his way out of a coal mining town in Newcastle. I can think of a dozen composers who might have done better. Still the performances of Janet Dickinson (Mrs. Wilkinson, the dance teacher), Richard Gatta (grown-up Billy), and Kilty Reidy (Mr. Braithwaite) could hardly have been improved upon.

As always, The Gateway produced a show that was at least faithful to the Broadway version … and in many respects, even better.

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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of ten novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. Ladouceur’s newest thriller THE QUANTUM SYNDROME is patterned on the Atlanta child murders of the 80s. His eleventh book, THE SEQUEL, will explore the odd relationship between Harper Lee and Truman Capote. It will be released in September.

Smithtown Fire Destroys Home On Marquette Drive

By Jeff Bressler, PIO Smithtown Fire Department (posted on Smithtown FD website)

August 9, 2015

The Smithtown Fire Department was toned out for a structural fire with possible occupants inside at the location of 44 Marquette Drive at 2:10am on Sunday, August 9th. Photo Smithtown Fire DepartmentUpon arrival the call was upgraded to a fully involved structural fire. Three occupants were assisted out of the house before units arrived. The occupants were taken by Smithtown FD and Kings Park FD ambulances to the Stony Brook University Medical Center with their conditions unknown at this time. 2 ½ “hose lines were deployed around the structure to fight the blaze. The fire was also attacked from above by Ladder Company 7. Lines were also used to attack a fire that was starting to spread at an adjacent house. The fire was quickly put out with significant damage to the siding. One Smithtown firefighter was injured and transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center with a minor injury. Cause of the fire is currently under investigation. On scene were Smithtown Chiefs 4-2-30 (Murphy), 4-2-32 (Fitzpatrick) 4-2-33 (Diecidue), Engines 4-2-3, 4-2-4,4-2-5, Ladder 4-2-7, Ambulance 4-2-61,4-2-62, Fire Police 4-2-10. Mutual aid was provided by St. James FD, Nesconset FD, Hauppauge FD, Kings Park FD, and Nissequogue FD.

Men Wanted For Stealing DJ Equipment In Hauppauge

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the men who stole DJ equipment from a van in Hauppauge last month. 

Two men stole several items of DJ equipment from a 2005 Chevrolet van that was parked in a parking lot on Smithtown Bypass on July 1 at approximately 2:20 p.m. The items include a laptop, adapters, drills, headsets and microphones. 

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

 Authority:  D/Sgt. Dean Joseph CC# 15-381088

Fourth Squad detectives     CW# 15-242/RD

Police Seeking Help In Identifying Remains Found In East Setauket

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the woman whose remains were found in East Setauket. 

On March 22, 2015, human remains were found on the Greenway Bicycle Path in East Setauket. Detectives believe the remains were at this location for approximately a year.  The woman is believed to have been white or Hispanic, 30 to 50 years old, between 5 feet 3 inches tall and 5 feet 9 inches tall.  She had poor dental work. 

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the identity of this woman to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest on any crime. Anyone with information about the identity of the woman in the sketch above is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. 

Online: WWW.TIPSUBMUT.COM

Text: SCPD and your message to CRIMES (274637)

Authority:  Det/Lt. Beyrer CC# 15-175646

Homicide Section     CW# 15-249/MK